Immunization against HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) could potentially be combined without compromising immune response to either, though effective vaccines for both diseases are still elusive, according to research presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver's International Liver Congress (EASL 2016) last week in Barcelona.

A new hepatitis C vaccine demonstrated good safely and tolerability in a first-in-humans Phase 1 clinical trial, with only mild and transient side effects, according to a report in the November 5 edition of Science Translational Medicine. The vaccine, which mimics immune responses in people who naturally clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, led to increased production of T-cells targeting the virus. Phase 2 studies are now underway in Baltimore and San Francisco, with results expected in 2016.

Chronic hepatitis B patients who do not have 2 common HBV mutations are more likely to achieve undetectable viral load and HBsAg loss when treated with pegylated interferon, according to study findings presented at the 47th International Liver Congress (EASL 2012) last month in Barcelona.

Telbivudine (Tyzeka) is an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis B with minimal emergence of drug resistance when using the "Roadmap" algorithm for selecting appropriate patients and deciding when to add other agents, according to a trio of studies presented at the 47th International Liver Congress (EASL 2012) last month in Barcelona.